Executive Leadership

David Levin is the president and CEO of McGraw-Hill Education, a leading learning science company, and is responsible for the growth and management of its global business. He assumed this role in April 2014.

Previously, David was the chief executive of UBM, a multinational media company headquartered in London. Over his nearly nine years leading UBM, he reoriented the company's business mix toward emerging markets, while growing its U.S. revenues. He also shifted UBM's business models away from print and toward live events and online communities, and renewed the company's culture, fostering an open, collaborative, and social environment. Under his leadership, UBM realigned its portfolio through more than 100 acquisitions.

Before joining UBM, David was chief executive of Symbian Software, a U.K.-based software group that built the operating system to power the first generation of smartphones. Previously, he served as chief executive of Psion PLC, a London-based consumer and business technology company. He also served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC and as the president of Institutional Investor, the financial information business. He served for seven years as a non-executive on the Finance Committee of the Oxford University Press.

David holds a bachelor's degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford University and a M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Peter Cohen

Group President
U.S. Education

Peter Cohen serves as McGraw-Hill Education’s Group President of U.S. Education, overseeing the company’s U.S. K-12 and higher education businesses. Peter joined McGraw-Hill Education in 2013 as president of the McGraw-Hill School Education Group. Prior to his arrival at McGraw-Hill Education, Peter served as chief executive of Pearson Education’s School division. At Pearson, Peter was instrumental in Pearson’s shift from print to digital resources, the expansion of school services, and the acquisition and expansion of direct instructional services through Connections Academy.

From 1996 until 2008, Peter held positions as the president of Sylvan Learning and the CEO of Educate Inc., leading the expansion of the consumer business, Sylvan Learning, the acquisition of a 1,000-unit German tutoring business, the development of Educate On Line serving the K-12 market, and the expansion of Catapult Learning serving the School market.

In addition, Peter served as chief executive for The Pet Practice, a publicly traded veterinary hospital chain, and served in various senior management positions at NutriSystem, Circle K, and 7-Eleven.

Peter is a graduate of the University of Redlands. He is a board member of Primrose Schools, a national early childhood education provider, and a former member of the Board of Directors of Connections Academy, a for-profit virtual charter school company.

Angelo T. DeGenaro

Chief Information Officer

Angelo T. DeGenaro serves as Chief Information Officer for McGraw-Hill Education, joining the company in January 2015. Angelo began working for The McGraw-Hill Companies in 2004, most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at McGraw Hill Financial. In that role, he was responsible for enterprise architecture, global infrastructure delivery, and IT risk management, among other areas.

Before joining The McGraw-Hill Companies, Angelo held senior technology leadership positions at the CIGNA Corporation and Citicorp. Angelo spent seven years at CIGNA as the Senior Vice President of Infrastructure Implementation Services and also held several operational and engineering leadership roles during his earlier 18-year tenure at Citicorp.

Angelo is a member of The Research Board, a New York-based international think tank and serves on Oracle's CIO Advisory Board.

Angelo holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from New York University and a Master of Science in telecommunications and computing management from Polytechnic University.

Mark Dorman

President
International and Professional

Mark Dorman is president of McGraw-Hill Education International and Professional. He is responsible for capitalizing on McGraw-Hill Education’s product development expertise across markets and combining those capabilities with the regional insight and distribution network of the company’s international operations. He also oversees the company’s professional reference business, which includes the expanded delivery of content through a 6,000-title eBook program and the development of online solutions on medical and healthcare, engineering, and scientific topics.

Mark has extensive experience in international business management and the development of digital solutions. Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, he was president and CEO of Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, where he oversaw significant business growth in terms of improved revenue, profit margins, and the accelerated development of market-leading digital products and services in core markets. Before taking the role of president and CEO at Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, he served as vice president of the company's Legal Markets Group, responsible for overall strategy, business development and sales and marketing. Prior to Wolters Kluwer, Mark was head of global product management at Gartner Inc. and head of strategy for LexisNexis UK, a unit of Reed Elsevier.

Mark graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army's Corps of Royal Military Police.

Stephen Laster

Chief Digital Officer

Stephen was appointed chief digital officer of McGraw-Hill Education in August 2012. He is responsible for creating compelling student experiences, and developing breakthrough teaching and learning solutions. Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, he led Intelligent Solutions, LLC, a firm that engages with universities and businesses to leverage their digital technology and collaborative tools. At the same time, he served as the chief information and technology officer of the Harvard Business School and as a member of the HBS administrative leadership team, overseeing the school’s academic, research and administrative computing teams.

Stephen taught courses at the undergraduate, graduate level and executive/ professional level in technology leadership, problem solving, software design, and eLearning product development. Prior to joining Harvard, he held several leadership positions at Babson College including chief technology officer for Babson's for-profit eLearning company and director of Curriculum Innovation and Technology. Earlier, Stephen held leadership positions at a number of companies where he was responsible for information technology, technology product development, and major re-engineering and implementation efforts. He is a former trustee of Babson College and is on the board of the Sloan Consortium for Online Learning. Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and a MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College.

Teresa Martin-Retortillo

Senior Vice President
Strategy & Business Development

Teresa Martin-Retortillo was named senior vice president of Strategy & Business Development for McGraw-Hill Education in 2014. She works closely with CEO David Levin and other senior executives to identify, assess, and develop specific business opportunities and strategies that fuel the company’s growth. In addition, she evaluates partnerships, acquisitions, and other business models that align with MHE’s internal capabilities in the context of the company’s strategic direction.

Prior to MHE, Teresa was a partner with Bain & Company for 18 years, responsible for advising C-level executives and their boards with the objective of driving company transformations and increasing shareholder value. She worked for clients representing a range of industries including education, helping to develop business strategies and translate plans into tangible results. She has extensive experience supporting private equity clients through deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio company transformation on more than 100 deals.

Teresa began her professional career at Goldman Sachs as a corporate finance analyst. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from CUNEF (Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros) in Madrid, and a MBA degree from Harvard Business School.

Catherine J. Mathis

Chief Communications Officer

Catherine J. Mathis serves as Chief Communications Officer for McGraw-Hill Education, joining the company in May 2015. She is responsible for creating and executing corporate communication strategies targeted to critical business, media and education policy-related audiences, and also leads the company’s influencer and stakeholder management efforts. Prior to her arrival at McGraw-Hill Education, Catherine served as the senior vice president of marketing and communications for Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. She was also a member of the Standard & Poor’s executive committee.

Before that, Catherine was senior vice president of corporate communications for The New York Times Company, where she served as chief spokesperson. In 2006, Catherine was named Communicator of the Year by the New York chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Catherine serves on the Board of Overseers for the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, the Board of the Corporate Communication International Center at Baruch College, the Advisory Board of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms and the Board of Trustees of Hartley House, a New York-based social services organization.

Catherine graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an M.B.A. with a concentration in marketing and management information systems.

Patrick Milano

Chief Financial Officer
Chief Administrative Officer

Patrick Milano was named executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of McGraw-Hill Education in May 2012. He is responsible for Finance, Manufacturing, Distribution, Communications and IT. Previously, Patrick served as executive vice president of Operations Services at Standard & Poor’s. In this senior role, with oversight for Finance, Strategy, Business Development, IT, Communications, Marketing and Risk Management, he was responsible for a variety of initiatives across Standard & Poor’s that strengthened the organization’s business processes, compliance processes and growth agenda.

Patrick has held a number of financial positions throughout The McGraw-Hill Companies since joining as an accountant for the McGraw-Hill Book Company in 1981. He also served as senior vice president, Finance and Administration, for Standard & Poor’s. Before that, he was senior vice president, Finance and Administration, for Standard & Poor’s Credit Market Services; and vice president, Finance and Administration, for Standard & Poor’s Investment Services. Patrick holds an M.B.A. from Monmouth University, a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Heath Morrison

Senior Vice President
Government Affairs and Education Policy

Heath Morrison serves as senior vice president of Government Affairs and Education Policy for McGraw-Hill Education. Heath is responsible for representing the company’s government-related opportunities before federal and state legislators and regulators as well as representatives of local school districts. He also advocates for educational policy issues affecting the company.

In 2012, Heath was named AASA’s National Superintendent of the Year for his work in the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada. He was also named Nevada Superintendent of the Year in 2011. Heath most recently served as superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Heath began his career as a social studies teacher in Virginia and Maryland and quickly moved into administration, becoming principal of both a middle and high school as well as a community superintendent in Montgomery County, Maryland. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning and a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of Maryland. Heath graduated with a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William and Mary.

Sally Shankland

President of McGraw-Hill Education
Higher Ed

Sally Shankland serves as president of McGraw-Hill Education’s Higher Ed group. She most recently served as the chief executive officer of UBM Americas, a division of UBM plc, where she led the company’s transition from print-based publishing to an events and digital marketing services business. Previously, Sally served as the chief executive officer of UBM Connect. She joined UBM in 1988 and held successive senior-level positions in marketing, sales, and management.

Sally is a graduate of UBM’s Business Leaders Program and has completed executive development courses with Harvard Business School and Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in social science (summa cum laude, honors) after attending primary and secondary schools in Italy and Germany.

David Stafford

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

David B. Stafford was appointed senior vice president and general counsel of McGraw-Hill Education in May 2012. As general counsel, he is responsible for all legal matters affecting McGraw-Hill Education and manages McGraw-Hill Education's legal, government affairs and corporate security departments. Prior to May 2012, David was vice president and associate general counsel at The McGraw-Hill Companies. As a senior member of the company’s legal department, he practiced in a wide variety of legal areas, with a focus on the company’s financial information businesses.

From 2006 to 2009, David served as senior vice president, Corporate Affairs, and assistant to the chairman and chief executive officer, where he was responsible for the marketing, communications, government affairs, and community relations activities of the company and advising the chairman and chief executive officer on matters involving the Board of Directors and the management and operation of the company generally. Prior to 2006 he was associate general counsel at The McGraw-Hill Companies. Before joining The McGraw-Hill Companies in 1992, he was an associate at the New York City law firms of Battle Fowler and Rosenman & Colin, where he specialized in corporate law. David is a graduate of Columbia College, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and a graduate of Cornell Law School, where he received his J.D. degree. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of YAI Network, a not-for-profit that provides services to people who are developmentally disabled.

Maryellen Valaitis

Senior Vice President
Human Resources

Maryellen Valaitis is the senior vice president, Human Resources, for McGraw-Hill Education. As MHE’s leader of the human resources team, her major responsibilities include talent acquisition, talent development, performance management and rewards & recognition. Prior to her current role, she held the senior human resources positions for MHE’s PreK-12 business unit and the Customer Service & Global Technology group.

Maryellen joined The McGraw-Hill Companies in September 2000 as a result of the Tribune Education acquisition where she was director of human resources. Previously, she served as operations manager and human resources manager for a Nabisco facility. As human resources manager she had responsibility for the entire Human Resources function including employee relations, staffing, safety and benefit administration. While with Nabisco, she also served as chief spokesperson for contract negotiations. Earlier, Maryellen was employed by General Tire, where she held various Human Resources positions of increasing responsibility within that organization. She holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Baldwin-Wallace College and a bachelor’s degree in Personnel and Labor Relations from Cleveland State University.

Maryellen is a member of the board of directors of the McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union.

Christine Willig

President
School

Christine Willig serves as president of McGraw-Hill Education’s K-12 group. Previously, she served as the K-12 group’s senior vice president of product, leading all product development and managing the portfolio of PreK-12 curriculum and instructional materials. Christine joined McGraw-Hill Education in 2011 as the K-12 group’s senior vice president of STEM, a role in which she headed up product development and marketing for all STEM disciplines.

Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, Chris served as president and chief executive officer of Math Solutions, the leading provider of mathematics teacher professional development in the U.S. In her time with Math Solutions she improved the technology offerings from the company to drive the highest quality professional support in mathematics with partner states, districts, and schools. She led Math Solutions through a successful acquisition to Scholastic, Inc., in 2010.

Chris graduated from the University of Notre Dame and was a member of the 1996 Executive Education Program at Columbia University.

She resides in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband John. She is the proud mother of a blended family of seven children.

Ulrik Juul Christensen, M.D.

Senior Fellow
Digital Learning

Ulrik Juul Christensen joined McGraw-Hill Education as Senior Fellow, Digital Learning, in February 2014. Ulrik is a key member of the McGraw-Hill Education team striving to reimagine learning through adaptive and personalized learning. He has given numerous keynote lectures worldwide and is recognized as an expert in learning technology, having pioneered advancements in adaptive learning, data-driven content development, computer simulation, and debriefing technologies.

He founded his first company, Sophus Medical, in 1997, while still in medical school. The company created intelligent simulation solutions to assist in the development of medical education curricula, particularly in the fields of nursing and emergency medicine. Sophus Medical was acquired by Laerdal in 2002 and its technologies are still central to Laerdal Medical's dominant role in emergency medicine and nursing education.

After serving as part of the Laerdal management team, Ulrik co-founded Area9 in 2006, which was at the helm of redefining the standards of adaptive and personalized learning. In 2008, Area9 entered into an agreement with McGraw-Hill Education to develop the adaptive learning engine behind McGraw-Hill Education’s industry-leading suite of LearnSmart products. Area9 was acquired by McGraw-Hill Education in February 2014. Ulrik holds a medical degree from the University of Copenhagen.